Manufacturing Operations Manager

Digital Gatehouse Ltd; Bishop Auckland; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in the UK is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to drive strategic plans and ensure operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in production, supply chain, and leadership within a machine shop/assembly environment. Responsibilities include leading teams, improving processes, and managing supplier networks. A relevant engineering/manufacturing qualification and at least 4 years of senior management experience are required.

Qualifications

• Proven manufacturing leader with strategic planning capability.
• Senior management experience across production, planning, and supply chain.
• Track record of delivering an improvement culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations to ensure efficient utilisation of resources.
• Develop processes to enter new markets and deliver objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement projects using lean principles.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Customer relationship management

Process improvement

Education

Relevant qualification in engineering/manufacturing

Job description

As Operations Manager you will support the sustainable growth of the business: implement medium and long term strategies, develop processes to enter new markets, and deliver objectives and business performance management, with an appreciation of risk, aspects and impacts. You will lead operations to ensure efficient utilisation of resources (machineshop, assembly), drive best practice and continuous improvement, support a health, safety and environmentally conscious culture, and control the supply chain to minimise stock, ensure robust procurement and maximise commercial opportunity. You'll also integrate and utilise our manufacturing site in India for capacity, quality and delivery, and use the ERP effectively to enhance process and communication.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Drive, coordinate and execute team engagement in the business direction, focusing on production, supply chain and our site in India in strategies and objectives.
• Actively participate in board, senior management and management meetings.
• Develop a lean, processdriven, best practice culture to improve people, product, quality and performance whilst reducing cost.
• Support good employee relations and engagement; ensure growth and quality of people through talent development, process controls and succession planning.
• Lead and direct teams with clear strategy, agreed objectives and achieved targets.
• Continually review and develop competency and flexibility to meet strategic and tactical plan requirements.
• Support a robust and compliant Health, Safety and Environmental system.
• With production and supply chain, plan and utilise resources to achieve monthly production targets; review targets and prioritise orders in line with commitments and client satisfaction.
• Execute the plan to meet Quality, Cost and Delivery.
• Lead shopfloor operations to utilise resources, tooling, plant and equipment effectively.
• Drive OEE improvement activities and initiatives.
• Investigate, recommend and implement improved planning methods, processes and systems to increase efficiency, improve reporting and reduce costs.
• Oversee site and facility maintenance; ensure machine maintenance schedules are met within budget and timeline.
• Lead and support continuous improvement projects using lean principles to grow an improvement culture.
• Support development of inspection plans and processes to improve quality.
• Implement best practice techniques to deliver repeatable and capable processes.
• Support the Supply Chain Manager to ensure processes and targets are monitored and achieved.
• Develop a robust, qualified supplier network to meet business requirements.
• Drive integration and utilisation of India site for capacity, quality and delivery.
• Minimise stock holding per agreed strategy, aligned to lead times and risk management.
• Drive continuous cost out via make or buy, alternative processes and materials, and improved manufacturing techniques.

Who We’re Looking For

You will be a proven manufacturing leader with strategic planning capability, able to communicate clearly and constructively while maintaining strong customer relationships. You will bring senior management experience across production, planning and supply chain, proven leadership and change management abilities. You will have significant experience in a machine shop/assembly environment with people management experience, a track record of delivering an improvement culture, experience of manufacturing within various industries, and a high level of computer literacy.

Adaptable to a changing work environment and able to work to tight deadlines, you can execute the plan across all operational activity, coach and mentor your team, and apply analytical, proven problem solving skills. You are results orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against production deadlines, with keen attention to detail and accuracy.

To apply, we ask that you have a relevant qualification in engineering / manufacturing and line management. You will have at least 4 years' experience at senior management level including production, planning and supply chain.